1.
personal connections; network; contacts
A web of personal and professional relationships that can be drawn upon for information, opportunities, or support. An important concept in Japanese business and social culture.
Usage
A key concept in Japanese business culture. Having strong 人脈 is considered a valuable asset. The word literally means "vein of people," using the same 脈 as in 血脈 (bloodline) or 山脈 (mountain range).
Common collocations
- 人脈を広げる (to expand one's network)
- 人脈を活かす (to leverage one's connections)
- 人脈を築く (to build a network)
- 幅広い人脈 (a wide network)
- 人脈作り (networking; building connections)
Similar words
- コネ: connections (from English "connection") — more colloquial, sometimes implies unfair advantage
- 人間関係: human relationships — broader, includes all types of interpersonal relationships